The federal government is working on a new governance model for Islamabad, inspired by Delhi’s system in India. The proposal includes forming an elected assembly, creating a council, and merging several departments like health and education to ensure better coordination. A high-level committee, led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, recently held a meeting to review two proposed models.
According to officials, one of the key features being considered is giving the Islamabad Chief Commissioner the status of a Chief Secretary, similar to what exists in provinces. The model also includes plans to create a new elected council that will include both elected members and federal government representatives. Moreover, most powers of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), except for police, home affairs, and master planning, will shift under the new structure.
Sources revealed that under one proposed plan — named Islamabad Capital Territory Government (ICTG) — the system would mirror Delhi’s National Capital Territory model. The idea is to cover the entire Islamabad Capital Territory, not just the urban areas. A legislative body called the Islamabad Capital Territory Assembly (ICTA) is also proposed, with powers similar to provincial assemblies.
The new ICT Assembly would have 31 members, including 15 directly elected, 4 reserved for women and minorities, and 12 nominated by the federal government from various sectors like education, health, law, and environment. Officials said this change is necessary to replace the outdated governance system that still follows a 1980 martial law-era presidential order.
Currently, Islamabad operates under three parallel models — CDA, ICT Administration, and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) — while health and education remain under federal ministries. The lack of coordination among these bodies has caused confusion and poor service delivery. The last local government elections were held in 2015, and since the term ended in 2021, no new elections have taken place.
In May 2025, the Election Commission criticized the delay in legal reforms and expressed frustration over the stalled election process. Now, the federal government has stepped forward with this new model, aiming to establish a more democratic, efficient, and people-focused system in the capital.